Sam @Library Fair 2013 in Cape Town

Recently, I was invited to contribute to the Library Week 2013, organised by the Cape Town Central Library; where I had the wonderful opportunity to do an exhibition of C:F’s work. It was also a great platform to bring the attention of students and young minds alike to the tons of opportunities for youth, available on the C:F platform. I also had the absolute pleasure of giving them the impetus to identify the opportunity in every challenge – the solution in every problem, and to take personal, as well as group actions towards solving social problems in their communities as agents of change and leaders of tomorrow.

Library Week is a national initiative to promote all sorts of libraries, including resource centres, special-, academic- and public libraries. During this week, at the request of the Central Library, the media tend to focus on Library and Information Services nationally and locally, and libraries tend to have a host of activities for patrons – young and old – in an attempt to draw people's attention and empower them at all levels.

Library Week 2013 at Cape Town Central Library was crammed with wonderful programmes, including the popular and very effective "Love Your Library" march in the Central Business District (CBD); a book launch by Cover2Cover; poetry readings by Patricia Schonstein, Consuelo Roland, and other well-known South African poets; a hip-hop session for young and old with Emile Jansen; the launch of the Zonnebloem Art Exhibition at Central featuring 84 original and very creative works of art by children; and lots more. There was also an exhibition throughout the library by exhibitors including, local artists, Artscape, College of Cape Town, Harambee: Work For Work, African Entrepreneurial Development Company, D6 Museum and more. More so, there was workshops and informational sessions by our own Challenge:Future, Career Planet, AEDC Career Development, and sessions to introduce children to PCs. There was wonderful storytelling in the Children's Library with Ugandan storyteller Philippa Kabali-Kagwa who regaled young and older kids with her lyrical storytelling in our Children's Library. It was an exhilarating and fruitful week for both the staff and patrons at Central, and most especially for the participants.

“Central Library staff were excited to host Samuel Duru from C:F.  As anticipated, there was a great deal of enthusiasm from the youth about the work C:F is involved in globally. The youth were patently interested in Samuel’s presentation. They were all keen to learn how they can contribute to this amazing platform, and Central Library was pleased to expose these young, intelligent teenagers to C:F and the opportunities it provides for youth engagement and growth. From our perspective the undertaking was a huge success and we look forward to continued collaboration with Challenge:Future at Central.” – Cape Town Central Library Staff

It was a great honour for me to represent C:F at Library Fair 2013 in Cape Town! My expectation was that by the time I finished presenting and speaking, I would have given participating youngsters the stimulus to start thinking and acting like problem solvers, by seeing every problem as a call to action. And I can proudly say that I met this expectation. The role of young people in driving positive change in society has become more imperative than ever. Hence they need to be given the push to THINK and ACT as problem solvers and community builders.

Samuel Duru - C:F Team